A power module for a modular aerosol generating device, a module for a modular aerosol generating device and a modular aerosol generating device

ABSTRACT

There is described a power module for a modular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol. The power module is arranged so that a user can configure the aerosol generating device by selectively connecting to the power module a single module that is either a module of a first module type or a module of a second module type. The module of the first module type is for containing a non e-liquid material and includes a heater that can be activated to heat the non e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol. The module of the second module type is for containing an e-liquid for generating an inhalable aerosol.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a National Phase entry of PCT Application No.PCT/EP2019/069941, filed Jul. 24, 2019, which claims priority from GBPatent Application No. 1812062.6, filed Jul. 24, 2018, which is herebyfully incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a power module for a modular aerosolgenerating device, a module for a modular aerosol generating device anda modular aerosol generating device.

BACKGROUND

Smoking articles such as cigarettes, cigars and the like burn tobaccoduring use to create tobacco smoke.

Attempts have been made to provide alternatives to these articles thatburn tobacco by creating products that release compounds withoutburning.

Examples of such products are heating devices which release compounds byheating, but not burning, the material. The material may be for exampletobacco or other non-tobacco products, which may or may not containnicotine.

As another example, there are so-called e-cigarette devices. Thesedevices typically contain a liquid, referred to as an e-liquid, which isheated to vaporize the liquid to produce an inhalable vapor or aerosol.The liquid may contain nicotine and/or flavorings and/oraerosol-generating substances, such as glycerol. E-cigarette devicestypically do not contain or use tobacco.

As yet another example, there are so-called hybrid devices. These hybriddevices typically contain separately an e-liquid and tobacco or otherflavor material. The liquid is heated to vaporize the liquid to producean inhalable vapor or aerosol which passes through the tobacco or otherflavor material so that a flavor is imparted to the vapor or aerosol.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure , there isprovided a power module for a modular aerosol generating device forgenerating an inhalable aerosol wherein the power module is arranged sothat a user can configure the aerosol generating device by selectivelyconnecting to the power module a single module that is either a moduleof a first module type or a module of a second module type, wherein themodule of the first module type is for containing a non e-liquidmaterial and comprises a heater that can be activated to heat the none-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol and the module of thesecond module type is for containing an e-liquid for generating aninhalable aerosol.

The power module may comprise control circuitry configured to apply afirst control scheme appropriate for controlling a module of the firstmodule type when a module of the first module type is connected to thepower module and to apply a second control scheme appropriate forcontrolling a module of the second module type when a module of thesecond module type is connected to the power module.

The control circuitry may be configured to identify which of the moduleof the first type and the module of the second type is connected to thepower module.

The control circuitry is configured to select which of the first andsecond control schemes is to be applied in response to identifying whichof the module of the first type and the module of the second type isconnected to the control module.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure , there is provided amodule of a first module type for use with the power module of the firstaspect, the module of the first module type comprising a housing forcontaining a non e-liquid material and a heater that can be activated toheat the non e-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol and afirst module type connection interface for connecting the module to thepower module.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure , there is provided amodule of a second module type for use with the power module of thethird aspect, the module of the second module type comprising a housingfor containing an e-liquid and an aerosol generating arrangement thatcan be activated to generate an inhalable aerosol from the e-liquid anda second module type connection interface for connecting the module tothe power module.

According to a fourth aspect of the disclosure , there is provided amodular aerosol generating device for generating an inhalable aerosol,the device comprising: the power module of the first aspect; a module ofthe first module type of the second aspect; or, a module of the secondmodule type of the third aspect.

Further features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparentfrom the following description of preferred embodiments of thedisclosure , given by way of example only, which is made with referenceto the accompanying drawings. Like features appearing in different onesof the drawings are giving the same reference numerals in the differentdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a modular aerosol provision device.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a module of a first module type.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a module of a second module type.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a power module.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a mouthpiece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic of an example of a modular aerosolprovision device 100 is illustrated. The aerosol provision device 100 isan inhalation device (i.e. a user uses it to inhale an aerosol producedby the device 100 and the device 100 is a hand-held device. In verybroad outline, the device 100 generates a vapor or an aerosol whichpasses from the device 100 into the mouth of a user when the user drawson the device 100.

In this respect, first it may be noted that, in general, a vapor is asubstance in the gas phase at a temperature lower than its criticaltemperature, which means that for example the vapor can be condensed toa liquid by increasing its pressure without reducing the temperature. Onthe other hand, in general, an aerosol is a colloid of fine solidparticles or liquid droplets, in air or another gas. A colloid is asubstance in which microscopically dispersed insoluble particles aresuspended throughout another substance. For reasons of convenience, asused herein the term aerosol should be taken as meaning an aerosol, avapor or a combination of an aerosol and vapor .

Returning to FIG. 1, the device 100 comprises a power module 200, amodule 300 for containing a substance for generating an aerosol and, inthis example, a mouthpiece 600. Advantageously, and as will be explainedin more detail below, a user can configure the device 100 by selectingthe type of module 300 to connect to the power module 200. In thisexample, the module 300 is either a module of a first module type or amodule of a second module type.

The module of the first module type is for containing a non e-liquidmaterial and comprises a heater that can be activated to heat the none-liquid material to generate an inhalable aerosol and the module of thesecond module type is for containing an e-liquid for generating aninhalable aerosol.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an example of a module ofthe first module type 300 a. The module of the first module type 300 acomprises a housing 402 that comprises a cylindrical channel 403 runningthrough the housing 402. The cylindrical channel 403 comprises an outlet406 at one end 407, which is a proximal end, of the module 300 a and isclosed at the other end 409, which is a distal end, of the module 300 a.The module 300 a is for receiving in the channel 403 a material 408which is a non e-liquid material. In some examples, the material 408 isa loose material that is contained within the channel 403. In thoseexamples, the housing 402 may comprise an outlet screen 412 forpreventing material from passing out of the outlet 406. The outletscreen 412 may be removeable to allow a user to replenish material 408within the channel 403. The outlet screen 412 is porous to allow aerosolto pass through.

In some examples, the material 408 may be held within its own container(not illustrated), for example an open-ended tube, which is itselfwithin the channel 403. The tube may be formed of a suitable material,for example, a cellulose acetate wrapping or plastic.

The module of the first module type 300 a further comprises a heatingarrangement 414 for heating the material 408. The heating arrangement414 may be of any suitable type including a resistive heatingarrangement, an inductive heating arrangement and a radiative heatingarrangement.

The material 408 typically comprises tobacco although some otherbotanical or flavorant agent may also be used.

In some examples, the material 408 has been ground or otherwise treatedso that it is in the form of particles, for example, powder, granules,grains, fibers or the like so as to increase the active surface area ofthe material in order to maximize the amount of flavor provided by thematerial 408. The module of the first module type 300 a furthercomprises a first module type first connection interface 418 at the end409 and a first module type second connection interface 420 at theoutlet 406.

The first connection interface 418 is for releasably connecting themodule of the first module type 300 a to the power module 200. The firstconnection interface 418 mechanically and electrically connects themodule of the first module type 300 a to the power module 200.

The first connection interface 418 may comprise for example a threadedconnection for connecting to a complimentary threaded connection of thepower module 200 to provide a simple standardized mechanical connectionbetween the two.

The second connection interface 420 is for releasably connecting themodule of the first module type 300 a to the mouthpiece 600.

The housing 400 further comprises an air flow inlet 422 for enabling airto flow into the channel 403.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated schematically an exampleof a module of the second module type 300 b. The module of the secondmodule type 300 b comprises a housing 502 that contains a liquidcontainer 506 for containing e-cig liquid 508.

In this example, the liquid container 506 is provided generallycentrally of the module of the second module type 300 b but otherarrangements are possible. The liquid container 506 is cylindrical inshape, but may have a different shape, such as conical, cylindrical,etc. The liquid container 506 is annular and defines a cylindricalchannel 507 running through the liquid container 506. The cylindricalchannel 507 comprises an outlet 512 at one end 513 of the module and isclosed at the other end 515 of the module. The liquid container 506 maybe formed of rigid, watertight and airtight materials, such as metal,suitable plastics, etc.

In this example, the module of the second module type 300 b is providedwith a heater 514 and a wick 516 in thermal contact with the heater 514.In this example, the heater 514 and the wick 516 are provided as asingle unit, sometimes known as an “atomizer”. In this case, where themodule of the second module type 300 b includes an atomizer , such amodule is often referred to as a “cartomizer”.

The wick 516 is in fluidic contact with the liquid 508. The wick 516 isgenerally absorbent and acts to draw in liquid 508 from the liquidcontainer 506 by capillary action. The wick 516 is preferably non-wovenand may be for example a cotton or wool material or the like, or asynthetic material, including for example polyester, nylon, viscose,polypropylene or the like, or a ceramic material. In use, the heater 514heats liquid in the wick 516 to generate an aerosol.

In alternative examples, the module of the second module type 300 b isnot provided with a heater to heat the liquid to generate an aerosol butis provided with alternative aerosol generating arrangement for examplea piezo electric arrangement. As is known, in such arrangements, a meshmay be attached, either directly or indirectly, to a piezo arrangement,which in use causes the mesh to vibrate in response to an appliedcontrol current/voltage. The liquid is located under the mesh and as themesh vibrates the liquid is pushed through the mesh to form an aerosol.

The module of the second module type 300 b further comprises a secondmodule type first connection interface 518 at the end 515 and a secondmodule second connection interface 520 at the outlet 512.

The first connection interface 518 is for releasably connecting themodule of the second module type 300 b to a power module 200. The firstconnection interface 518 both mechanically and electrically connects themodule of the second module type 300 b to the power module 200.

The first connection interface 518 may comprise for example a threadedconnection (which may be identical to that of the module of the firstmodule type) for connecting to a complimentary threaded connection ofthe power module 200 to provide a simple standardized mechanicalconnection between the two.

The second connection interface 520 is for releasably connecting themodule of the second module type 300 b to the mouthpiece 600.

The housing 502 further comprises an air flow inlet 522 for enabling airto flow into the channel 507.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is illustrated a schematic drawing of apower module 200.

The power module 200 comprises a power source 202, for example, abattery for powering various components of the aerosol provision device100. The battery 202 may be a rechargeable battery or a disposablebattery. In this example, a control circuitry 204 is also provided forcontrolling the operation of various components of the device 100.

For example, the control circuitry 204 may be configured to apply afirst control scheme appropriate for controlling a module of the firstmodule type 300 a (e.g. in terms of wattage, temperature, heating timeor combinations thereof of the heater 414) when a module of the firstmodule type 300 a is connected to the power module 200 and to apply asecond control scheme appropriate for controlling a module of the secondmodule type 300 b (e.g. in terms of wattage, temperature, heating timeor combinations thereof of the heater 514) when a module of the secondmodule type 300 b is connected to the power module 200.

The control circuitry 204 may be configured to identify which of themodule of the first type 300 b and the module of the second type 300 bis connected to the power module and further configured to select whichof the first and second control schemes is to be applied in response toidentifying which of the module of the first type 300 a and the moduleof the second type 300 b is connected to the power module.

In one example, the control circuitry 204 makes electrical measurementsto determine the type of modules connected to it. For example, modulesof the first module type may have a first electrical resistanceassociated with them (purely by way of example only, 1.2 ohm to 1.3 ohm)and modules of the second module type may have a second differentelectrical resistance associated with them (purely by way of exampleonly, 1.7 ohm to 1.8 ohm). Modules of the first type may have resistancevalues of between 1 ohm to 3 ohm, while modules of the second type mayhave resistance values of between 0.5 ohm to 4 ohm. The modules of thefirst and second type may have different resistance values to thosedescribed above. The control circuitry 204 may make one or moreresistance measurements to identify what module is connected to it. Thismay particularly be the case where the resistance values of the firstmodule type and the second module type are sufficiently different (i.e.,the difference can be reliably detected by the control circuitry 204).

In a further example each module type may be provided with atransmitter, for example, a RF transmitter (such as an RFID tag) thattransmits an identity signal that identifies the module. The controlcircuitry 204 may comprises a receiver for receiving the identitysignals.

The power module 200 further comprises a power module connectioninterface 206 for releasably connecting the power module 200 to a moduleof the first module type 300 a or to a module of the second module type300 b.

The connection interface 206 makes a mechanical connection with thefirst connection interface 418 of a module of the first module type 300a or the first connection interface 518 of a module of second moduletype 300 b depending upon which module type is connected to the powermodule 200.

The connection interface 206 may comprise a threaded connection forconnecting to a complimentary threaded connection of the module of thefirst type or of the module of the second type.

The connection interface 206 also makes an electrical connection withthe first connection interface 418 of a module of the first module type300 a or the first connection interface 518 of a module of second moduletype 300 b to supply power from the power source 202 to the module ofthe first module type 300 a or the module of the second module type 300b as the case may be.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated a mouthpiece 600. Themouthpiece 600 comprises a body 602 for being received in the mouth of auser. The body 602 comprises a channel 604 that runs along the length ofthe mouthpiece 600 from a mouthpiece inlet 606 to a mouthpiece outlet608.

The inlet end 606 of the mouthpiece 600 is for connecting to the outletend of a module of the first module type 300 a or to the outlet end of amodule of the second module type 300 b.

Referring back to FIG. 1, when the device 100 is configured as a THPdevice, the module 300 is a module of the first module type 300 a.

The module of the first module type 300 a is electrically connected tothe power supply 202 in the power module 200 via the control circuitry204 to enable the heater arrangement 414 in the module of the firstmodule type 300 a to be powered in accordance with a control schemeappropriate for the module of the first module type 300 a.

When the heater arrangement 414 is powered (which may be instigated forexample by the user operating a button (not shown) of the power module200 or by a puff detector (not shown) of the overall device 100, as isknown per se) the material 408 which may comprise tobacco is heated (butnot burnt) by the heater 414 so as to generate an aerosol.

As the user draws on the mouthpiece 600, air is drawn from outside ofthe housing 402 through the air flow inlet 422 into channel 403 andmaterial 408 volatized or vaporized by the heater arrangement 415 mixeswith the airflow to produce a flow of an aerosol. The flow of aerosol isdrawn through the channel 403 and through the channel 604 in themouthpiece 600 for inhalation by a user.

Referring back again to FIG. 1, when the device 100 is configured as ane-cig device, the module 300 is a module of the second module type 300b.

The module of the second module type 300 b is electrically connected tothe power supply 202 in the power module 200 via the control circuitry204 to enable the heater 514 in the module of the second module type 300b to be powered in accordance with a control scheme appropriate for themodule of the second module type 300 b.

When the heater 514 is powered (which again may be instigated forexample by the user operating a button (not shown) of the power module200 or by a puff detector (not shown) of the overall device 100, as isknown per se), liquid 508 drawn in from the liquid container 506 by thewick 516 is heated by the heater 514 so as to generate an aerosol.

In use, the liquid 508 may be heated to a temperature of between around70-300° C. or more particularly around 150° C. to 250° C. The liquid 508may, or may not, comprise nicotine.

As the user draws on the mouthpiece 500, air is drawn from outside ofthe housing 502 through the air flow inlet 522 into the channel 507 andliquid 508 volatized or vaporized by the heater 514 mixes with theairflow to produce a flow of an aerosol. The flow of aerosol is drawnthrough the channel 507 and through the channel 604 in the mouthpiece600 for inhalation by a user.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that a user can very simply switchbetween configuring the device 100 as a THP device or an e-cig devicesimply by switching the type of module connected to the power module200. This is very convenient and means that the user does not have tocarry separate THP and e-cig devices on their person if they like usingboth types of devices.

In the example described above with respect to FIGS. 1 to 5, the controlcircuitry 204 for applying an appropriate control scheme for the moduleof the first module type 300 a or the module of the second type 300 bdepending upon which is connected to the power module 200 is provided aspart of the power module 200 itself. In alternative examples, ratherthan being provided in the power module 200, suitable control circuitryis provided in each of the module of the first module type 300 a and themodule of the second type 300 b. In these examples, when a module of thefirst module type 300 a or a module of the second type 300 b isconnected to the power module 200, the control circuitry in that moduleis electrically connected to the power source 202 in the power module200 and applies an applies a control scheme suitable for that module. Inthese examples, either a module of the first module type 300 a or amodule of the second type 300 b may be used with any suitable powermodule 200 that is arranged to be mechanically and electricallyconnectable to the modules and not just one that is provided withbespoke control circuitry.

In the examples described above, the mouthpiece 600 is separate from andreleasably attachable to a module of the first module type 300 a and amodule of the second type 300 b. In alternative examples, the mouthpiece600 may be a part of a module of the first module type 300 a and/or apart of a module of the second type 300 b.

As used herein, the terms “flavor” and “flavorant” may refer tomaterials which, where local regulations permit, may be used to create adesired taste or aroma in a product for adult consumers. They mayinclude extracts (e.g., licorice, hydrangea, Japanese white barkmagnolia leaf, chamomile, fenugreek, clove, menthol, Japanese mint,aniseed, cinnamon, herb, wintergreen, cherry, berry, peach, apple,Drambuie, bourbon, scotch, whiskey, spearmint, peppermint, lavender,cardamom, celery, cascarilla, nutmeg, sandalwood, bergamot, geranium,honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon oil, orange oil, cassia,caraway, cognac, jasmine, ylang-ylang, sage, fennel, piment, ginger,anise, coriander, coffee, or a mint oil from any species of the genusMentha), flavor enhancers, bitterness receptor site blockers, sensorialreceptor site activators or stimulators, sugars and/or sugar substitutes(e.g., sucralose, acesulfame potassium, aspartame, saccharine,cyclamates, lactose, sucrose, glucose, fructose, sorbitol, or mannitol),and other additives such as charcoal, chlorophyll, minerals, botanicals,or breath freshening agents. They may be imitation, synthetic or naturalingredients or blends thereof. They may be in any suitable form, forexample, oil, liquid, solid, or powder. For example, a liquid, oil, orother such fluid flavorant may be impregnated in a porous solid materialso as to impart flavor and/or other properties to that porous solidmaterial. As such, the liquid or oil is a constituent of the material inwhich it is impregnated.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples ofthe invention. It is to be understood that any feature described inrelation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination withother features described, and may also be used in combination with oneor more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination ofany other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modificationsnot described above may also be employed without departing from thescope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

1. A power module for a modular aerosol generating device for generatingan inhalable aerosol wherein the power module is arranged so that a usercan configure the aerosol generating device by selectively connecting tothe power module a single module that is either a module of a firstmodule type or a module of a second module type, wherein the module ofthe first module type is for containing a non e-liquid material andcomprises a heater that can be activated to heat the non e-liquidmaterial to generate an inhalable aerosol and the module of the secondmodule type is for containing an e-liquid for generating an inhalableaerosol.
 2. The power module according to claim 1, wherein the powermodule comprises control circuitry configured to apply a first controlscheme appropriate for controlling a module of the first module typewhen a module of the first module type is connected to the power moduleand to apply a second control scheme appropriate for controlling amodule of the second module type when a module of the second module typeis connected to the power module.
 3. The power module according to claim2, wherein the control circuitry is configured to identify which of themodule of the first module type or the module of the second module typeis connected to the power module.
 4. The power module according to claim3, wherein the control circuitry is configured to select which of thefirst control scheme or the second control scheme is to be applied inresponse to identifying which of the module of the first module type orthe module of the second module type is connected to the control module.5. The power module according to claim 1, wherein the power modulecomprises a connection interface that can connect the power module toeither the module of the first module type or the module of the secondmodule type.
 6. The power module according to claim 5, wherein theconnection interface comprises a threaded connection for connecting to acomplimentary threaded connection of the module of the first module typeor of the module of the second module type.
 7. A module of a firstmodule type for use with the power module of claim 1, the module of thefirst module type comprising a housing for containing a non e-liquidmaterial and a heater that can be activated to heat the non e-liquidmaterial to generate an inhalable aerosol and a first module typeconnection interface for connecting the module of the first module typeto the power module.
 8. The module of the first module type according toclaim 7, wherein the module of the first module type further comprisesmodule control circuitry for, in use, controlling the heater.
 9. Amodule of a second module type for use with the power module of claim 1,the module of the second module type comprising a housing for containingan e-liquid and an aerosol generating arrangement that can be activatedto generate an inhalable aerosol from the e-liquid and a second moduletype connection interface for connecting the module of the second moduletype to the power module.
 10. The module of the second module typeaccording to claim 9, wherein the aerosol generating arrangementcomprises one of a heater or a piezo electric arrangement.
 11. Themodule of the second module type according to claim 10, wherein themodule of the second module type further comprises module controlcircuitry for, in use, controlling the heater or the piezo electricarrangement.
 12. A modular aerosol generating device for generating aninhalable aerosol, the device comprising: the power module of claim 1;and at least one of: a module of a first module type comprising ahousing for containing a non e-liquid material and a heater that can beactivated to heat the non e-liquid material to generate the inhalableaerosol and a first module type connection interface for connecting themodule of the first module type to the power module, or a module of asecond module type comprising a housing for containing an e-liquid andan aerosol generating arrangement that can be activated to generate aninhalable aerosol from the e-liquid and a second module type connectioninterface for connecting the module of the second module type to thepower module.
 13. A kit of parts for the modular aerosol generatingdevice of claim 12, the kit comprising the power module, the module ofthe first module type and the module of the second module type.